Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
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Begoniaceae
Begonia rex 'Bolero'
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Begonia rex 'Bolero'
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~25–40% dry
Substrate
Fine but airy • Moisture-buffered • Balanced • Fine
Temperature
Ideal: 18–24 °C • Avoid below: 13 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Rhizomatous clumping herbaceous perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 30 cm • Max. spread: 40 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Begonia rex; species native from southern Bhutan to northern Myanmar
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Begonia rex 'Bolero' – Sterling Silver Leaves with Dark Veins and Burgundy Petioles
Begonia rex 'Bolero' is a hybrid from the rex-cultorum group, admired for its glistening silver foliage. The broad leaves shimmer like polished metal, their surfaces marked with contrasting dark green veins. Burgundy petioles provide a strong supporting accent, making this cultivar both elegant and eye-catching. 'Bolero' appeals to experienced collectors as well as beginners seeking a decorative yet manageable Rex Begonia.
Highlights of Begonia 'Bolero'
- Leaf colour: Bright silver surfaces with deep green venation
- Petioles: Burgundy stems add strong contrast to the foliage
- Growth form: Compact rhizomatous clumps suited to containers
- Size indoors: Usually 20 – 30 cm tall and wide
Background and Breeding
Rex Begonias are derived from Begonia rex Putz., native to northeast India and southern China. Cultivars in the rex-cultorum group have been developed for ornamental foliage, and 'Bolero' is one of the more recent introductions valued for its bright metallic sheen and strong contrast.
Care Instructions for Begonia rex 'Bolero'
- Light: Bright, indirect light keeps silver leaves vivid; avoid direct sun
- Watering: Keep substrate evenly moist; let the top 1 – 2 cm dry slightly before watering again
- Humidity: Benefits from 60%+ for crisp leaf edges and vibrant colours
- Temperature: Ideal at 18 – 26 °C; protect from drafts
- Soil: Airy, organic-rich mix with good drainage
- Fertilization: Apply diluted balanced feed every 3 – 4 weeks during active growth
Growth Behaviour
'Bolero' keeps its foliage year-round indoors. It grows steadily from creeping rhizomes, forming compact crowns of silver-green leaves. Its manageable size and luminous leaf colour make it versatile for tabletops, shelves, or mixed foliage displays.
Potential Issues and Fixes
- Brown tips: Often linked to low humidity or inconsistent watering
- Pale leaves: Caused by insufficient light; move closer to bright filtered light
- Pests: Occasionally mealybugs or spider mites; treat promptly if found
Etymology of Begonia
The genus Begonia was named in the 18th century by Charles Plumier in honour of Michel Bégon (1638 – 1710), a French administrator and amateur botanist. 'Bolero' adds to this tradition as a modern cultivar with luminous, silver-toned foliage.
Why Add Begonia 'Bolero' to Your Collection?
With its sterling silver leaves, dark venation, and burgundy petioles, Begonia rex 'Bolero' combines elegance with ease of care. Order today and let its luminous foliage bring sophistication to your indoor plant display.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Begonia rex 'Bolero'
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